The distinctive Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is among the city's top spots to watch world-class entertainment acts.

Located at the southern tip of the island near the Central Business District (CBD), Marina Bay is home to luxury hotels, brand-name boutiques, exclusive nightlife spots, fine-dining destinations and world-class theater venues—all of which are connected by a beautiful waterfront promenade. The heart of this district is the integrated resort by the Las Vegas Sands group, Marina Bay Sands (MBS). It comprises three towers and a shopping arcade, with sumptuous suites and a casino.

Attractions

Examples of early colonial architecture abound here. There is the 150-year-old Saint Andrew’s Cathedral (11 St Andrew's Road, 6337-6104), the nation’s largest cathedral, and Raffles Hotel (1 Beach Road, 6337-1886), a regal establishment opened in 1887.

You can also find modern architectural sites such as the distinctive spike-covered Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay (1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377), a top spot to watch world-class entertainment acts. Nearby, the three-story F1 Pit Building (1 Republic Blvd., 6884-6940) is a hub for the Singapore leg of the Grand Prix, just next door to the Singapore Flyer (30 Raffles Ave., 6734-8829), a 165m-tall giant observation wheel.

Across the water—a short walk over the beautiful glass and steel mesh Helix Bridge—is Gardens by the Bay (18 Marina Gardens Dr., 6471-7808) with more than 200,000 rare plants in domed conservatories. Another attraction here is the ArtScience Museum (Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868), which houses international touring exhibitions.

For local food, visit Lau Pa Sat (18 Raffles Quay, 6220-2138), a Victorian cast-iron structure with a wide range of hawker stalls. Also from the colonial era is the 19th-century convent and chapel compound, CHIJMES (30 Victoria St., 6337-7810), which is today a food and beverage haven.

Beyond that, there’s Suntec City Mall (3 Temasek Blvd., 6825-2667) featuring a comprehensive range of boutiques, as well as the Fountain of Wealth. For a quieter shopping experience, head to Millenia Walk (9 Raffles Blvd., 6883-1122) for high-end stores like Cortina Watch and BOSE.

WhereTraveler Staff

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